Device for dilating and dispensing material to body cavities



June 19, 1962 H. w. WALDEN ET AL 3,039,462

DEVICE FOR DILATING AND DISPENSING MATERIAL TO BODY CAVITIES Filed Nov. 16, 1959 r ATTORNEYS DEVICE FR DILATIN G AND DISPENSING MATERIAL T BODY CAVITIES Henry W. Walden, 124 W. 55th St., New York, N.Y., and

Richard H. Walden, Plandome, N.Y. (230 Hilton Ave., Hempstead, N.Y.)

Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 853,146

6 Claims. (Cl. 12S-260) The present invention relates to devices such as are used for the injection and distribution of medicaments, antiseptics, contraceptives, cleansing preparations and other materials in liquid, mist, foam, stream, spray, jelly, powder or any other form into body cavities. More particularly the invention comprises an improved device of this character particularly adapted for injection of material into the vagina. The new device is adapted for ready and sim-ple self use, insures a proper distribution of the material throughout the body cavity, protects against entrapment of air in a body orifice, may be readily dismantled `for cleaning, and may be designed for coupling to different types of medicament, therapeutic or cleansing material containers. The new `device is of the general type of device disclosed in the pending applications Serial No. 797,698, filed Ma-rch 6, 1959, Serial No. 758,730 tiled September 3, 1958, Serial No. 708,674 filed January 13, 1958, and Serial No. 653,462, filed April 17, 1957, now Patent No. 2,924,218, of the present applicants.

In general, the new device comprises a tubular structurc which may be inserted into a body cavity and a removable dispensing tube which extends axially along the tubular enclosure. The dispensing tube is of an outer diameter substantially less than the internal diameter of the tubular structure to provide an annular chamber through which air may escape. The dispensing tube is adapted to be connected to an aerosol or other type of container of material to be injected into the body cavity. The tubular structure may be of unitary construction or may comprise two pivotally mounted jaws which in the closed position form a tube and when open after penetration in a body cavity, serve `for dilation of the body cavity. The new device is provided with novel means for locking the dispensing tube to the tubular structure which means, when the tubular structure comprises a pair of pivoted jaws, also lock the jaws in open position. The device includes a cylindricall casing which pivotally supports the tubular structure and a base plate which carries the dispensing tube through which the medicament or other preparation is delivered to the lbody cavity.

For a better understanding of the invention and of specic embodiments thereof reference may be had to the accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a side view partly broken away of a device representing an embodiment of the invention wherein the tubular structure comprises pivoted jaws and means, operative upon movement of the jaws to open position for simultaneously preventing withdrawal of the dispensing means and locking the jaws open,

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional View of the device of FIG. l taken on the line 2 2 thereof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side View representing an embodiment of the invention wherein means operative after movement of the jaws to open position prevents withdrawal of the `dispensing tube and maintains the jaws open.

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3a-3a of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section of an embodiment of the invention wherein the tubular structure is unitary and wherein the dispensing means is shown as a syringe type applicator for delivery of heavy viscous material to a body cavity.

3,039,462 Patented June 19, 1962 ,ice

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a pair of pivotal jaws 2 and 4 which in the closed position shown in full lines in FIG. l meet to form a generally tubular structure enclosing a dispensing tube 6 supported in a base plate 8. The tips of the jaws 2 and 4 are preferably cut away, as shown, to avoid accumulation of a material being ejected. A cylindrical casing 10 having an upper annular liange 12 supports the jaws 2 and 4 on pivot pins 14. Below the pins 14 the jaws 2 and 4 diverge through longitudinal slots in the casing 10 to provide levers 16 for manipulation of the jaws. Centrally mounted on the base plate 8 is a cylindrical section 18 which lits within a circular opening in the base of the casing and through which is sealed the lower end of the tube 6, the tube entering an opening in the base plate and terminating adjacent the lower surface thereof. The internal diameter of the tube 6 may be proportioned for reception of the nipple 20 of an aerosol type medicament container, such as that shown in fragmentary section at 22. So far as the present invention is concerned, however, coupling means other than that indicated can be provided for the new device. For example, the internal diameter of the dispensing tube 6 could be made large enough for reception of a syringe type applicator should it be decided to use the device for delivery of heavy viscous material to the body cavity. The base plate 8, as shown best in FIG. 2, is provided with a pair of slots or channels 24 so shaped as to provide cam surfaces for pins 26 depending from the outwardly extending feet 28 of the levers 16, Located on the base plate 8 adjacent the extremity of one channel 24 is a lip 30 which, when a pin 26' is at that extremity of the channel, overlies the foot 28 and thereby holds the levers in jaw opening position and simultaneously prevents withdrawal of the base plate 8 with the tube 6 from the jaws.

ln use of the device, the jaws 2 and 4 in the closed position, are introduced into the body cavity, the flange 12 limiting the extent of penetration of the opening. The base plate 8 carrying the tube 6 is -then brought into position to insert the tube 6 into the enclosure formed by the jaws 2 and 4 with the pins 26 entering the channels 24 at the ends thereof most remote from the tube 6. This position is illustrated in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base plate is then rotated, counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2, into the dotted line position. This motion causes the pins to move inward along the channels, opening the jaws and bringing a 4foot 28 under the lip 39 to lock the parts together with the jaws in cavity dilating position. Medicament or other preparation may then be distributed into the dilated body cavity by inserting the nipple Ztl of the container into the base of the tube 6 and releasing the medicament into the body cavity through the tube.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which locking is effected after manual movement of the levers 16 to jaw opening position. In this embodiment of the invention, the base plate 8 is provided with two oppositely disposed upstanding elements 32 having inwardly directed ends 34 which, when the levers 16 are in jaw opening position, overlie and engage the feet 28- and thereby lock the jaws in open position and prevent withdrawal of the base plate 8' with its dispensing tube 6.

Space requirements often make it inconvenient for the user of a device such as `that of the invention, to hold the medicament container in line with tube 6. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a means are provided for permitting coupling between the tube 6 and a container disposed at right angles to the axis of the tube. Such means comprises a solid block 36, formed integral with the base plate 8', or otherwise secured to the underside thereof, within which is a right angled passage 38 communicat- 3 ing with the tube 6 and through which medicament from a suitable inverted container may be delivered to the tube 6.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4 the tubular structure comprises a unitary element 40 of substantially the coniiguration assumed by the jaws 2 and 4 when in closed position. The element 40 is formed integral with, or is rigidly secured to, the cylindrical casing part 42. The lower end of casing part 42 is provided with diametrically disposed outstanding lugs 44 and the base 8 is provided with two oppositely disposed upstanding elements 46 having inwardly directed ends 48 which can be brought into position to overlie the lugs 44 on casing part 42 to thereby lock the base S" and tube 6 carrier thereby to the casing part. As in the previously described embodiments of the invention the end of casing part 42 is provided with a circular opening for reception of the cylindrical section 18 mounted on the base plate. When the section 18 is introduced into the opening in the casing part 42., the base plate 8" with the parts carried thereby is rotated to bring the ends 48 over the lugs 44.- In the particular embodiment of FIG. 4, the tube 6 is part of a syringe type applicator within which is slideably mounted the plunger 50 of the applicator so that heavy viscous material may be introduced into the vagina. For introduction of this type of material dilation of the vagina is not ordinarily necessary and therefore `the unitary tubular structure of FIG. 4 is particularly adapted for such use. The syringe applicator comprising the tube 6 and plunger 50 could, of course, be replaced by a single tube when less viscous material is to be dispensed.

The construction of FIG. 4, as well as the construction of FIGS. l to 3, insures against entrapment of air in the body cavity because of the annular chamber provided between the 'outside of the inner tube and the inner wall of the tubular structure. This annular chamber communicates with the space within the cylindrical casing, and each casing is provided about its periphery with two or more Ventilating holes 52. Alternatively, or additionally, Ventilating openings could be provided in the end of the casing portion or through the plug carried by the base plate. The device is preferably constructed of plastic material, as indicated in the drawing.

'The invention has now been described with reference to three embodiments thereof in each of which means are provided for positively locking the dispensing means to the tubular structure. Although use of a syringe type applicator has been disclosed in connection with the embodiment of the invention in which the tubular structure is unitary, obviously such type of applicator could be included in devices of the type of FIGS. l and 3 wherein the tubular structure is formed by closing pivotally mounted jaws and conversely the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4 could be arranged for coupling to aerosol or other types of material con-tainers, with or without the speciiic means shown in FIG. 3 for redirecting the ow of material. Other modifications within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the accompanying drawings will occur to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A device for supplying material t a =body cavity comprising pivoted jaws which in closed position define a generally tubular enclosure, vmeans for opening the jaws, a base element carrying material dispensing means insertable into the enclosure defined by the jaws when closed, and quick-release projecting locking means connected with said dispensing means engaging cooperating means connected with said enclosure by a short rotation 4 of said base element and engageable by said jaw opening means in jaw open position for releasably locking said base element to said jaws and for releasably holding the jaws in open position.

2. The device according to claim 1 including a hollow casing member pivotally supporting said jaws and a support for said dispensing means adapted to be coupled to said casing, said means engageable with said jaw opening means forming part of said support.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said dispensing means when said support is coupled to said casing extends axially along the casing and enclosure defined by the jaws when closed and is spaced from its inner walls thereof, and wherein said casing is provided with air vents whereby entrapment of air in a body cavity is prevented.

4. A device for supplying material to a body cavity comprising pivoted jaws which in closed position define a generally tubular structure, means for opening the jaws, material dispensing means insertable into the enclosure defined by the jaws when closed, means engageable by said jaw opening means in jaw open position for releasably locking said dispensing means to said jaws and for releasably holding the jaws in openv position, a hollow cylindrical casing member having oppositely disposed longitudinal slots, said jaws being pivotally mounted adjacent one end of said casing member and extending generally axially therefrom, said jaw opening means comprising lever arms integral with said jaws and extending outwardly through said slots so as to open the jaws when moved toward the casing, anda support for said dispensing means serving as a closure for the end of the casing member remote from said jaws and as a coupling to a source of material to be dispensed through said dispensing means, said support having formed integral therewith said means engageable with said jaw opening means.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said levers are formed at their ends with angularly disposed flat extensions and wherein said means engageable with said jaw opening means comprise a pair of upstanding elements on said support having inturned ends which when the levers are in jaw opening position can be brought into position Ito overlie and engage said extensions by rotation of said support about the axis of said casing member and which thereby lock the jaws open and prevent removal of the support with the dispensing means from the casing.

6. The device according to claim 4 wherein each of said levers is formed at its end with an angularly disposed flat extension and with a pin depending therefrom, and wherein said support -is provided with curved channels for reception of said pins and serving as cam guideways during movement to jaw closing position, and an overhanging lip on said support adjacent one end of a channel adapted to overlie and engage one of said at extensions when the levers are in jaw opening position whereby rotation of said support means causes movement of the levers to jaw opening position and brings an extension under said lip locking the jaws open and preventing removal of the dispensing means from the casing member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,637,264 Masonick et al. July 26, 1927 2,512,434 Leu June 20, 1950 2,667,166 Scheer Ian. 26, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 690,941 France Sept. 27, 1930 

